PM calls for probe in El Socorro ‘beating’

Prime Minister Patrick Manning has called for an immediate probe into reports of some citizens in East Trinidad being attacked and beaten by so-called members of the Defence Force. In a release issued by the Communications Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister, the incident in question is reported to have occurred in El Socorro on Thursday evening. According to information reaching the Prime Minister, residents complained that a contingent of men dressed in “ski-masks” and transported by vehicles which appeared to be army trucks with their licence-plates covered, descended on them and began assaulting them. They alleged that a home in the area had been burglarised. Manning announced yesterday that based on these preliminary reports, he has called on the Minister of National Security Senator Howard Chin Lee to launch an investigation into the matter immediately, and to report his findings to the Prime Minister by today.

The Prime Minister stated that his Administration has absolutely no intention of tolerating any instance of lawlessness by anyone, “and even much less so by those who are charged with the very responsibility of upholding and enforcing the laws of our land.” He said: “Any such occurrence will be met by my Administration immediately seeking the fullest extent of punishment and correction that may be warranted and available.” He added: “May I extend my sincerest regrets to those of our citizens who may have had such a nightmarish experience, and give the assurance to all that wherever we find offences of any sort committed, we will vigorously pursue the appropriate steps of investigation and decisive action.”